Magnolia Park History | City of Garden Grove

History of Magnolia Park

Ernest Alfred Wakeham, born in 1887, hailed from a family deeply rooted in the agricultural history of Orange County. His father, Hubert Henry Wakeham, originally from England, settled in California in the late 19th century, acquiring a 120-acre parcel of empty land in Gospel Swamp, south of Santa Ana. Hubert transformed the raw landscape into a flourishing ranch, which he passed down through generations. He married Elizabeth Sarah Helmer, and together they raised six children on their expanding farmstead. Ernest would go on to make significant contributions to agriculture and education in the Garden Grove area, leaving a lasting legacy.

Following Hubert Henry Wakeham's passing in 1888, Elizabeth Sarah Wakeham took on the responsibility of both nurturing their children and managing the family estate. Described as a pillar of strength in the community, she played a pivotal role in maintaining the ranch's prosperity. Their eldest son, Hubert Laurence Wakeham, assumed leadership of the ranch as he matured. Under his stewardship, the Wakeham ranch diversified its crops, cultivating sugar beets, lima beans, and alfalfa, while also venturing into dairy farming. The Wakeham family's influence endured in Orange County's dairy industry until the late 1930s, leaving an indelible mark on the region's agricultural landscape.

Ernest A. Wakeham, the youngest son of Hubert and Elizabeth, inherited forty fertile acres in Gospel Swamp upon reaching adulthood. In 1908, he married Myrtle C. Cole, and they began their family with the birth of their son Jack in 1909. Around 1915, they relocated to Oceanside before settling on Roberts Island near Stockton by the late 1910s. In 1922, Myrtle's father, David G. Cole, a savvy real estate investor, purchased twenty acres of Valencia orange groves in Garden Grove. He entrusted Ernest with their management, prompting the family's return to Orange County. Additionally, Ernest acquired thirty acres of Valencia groves at the corner of Magnolia St. and Orangewood Ave., where they built their residence. This property, situated at 11402 Magnolia St., later became the site of Magnolia Park.

In addition to managing the citrus ranch, Ernest Wakeham played a pivotal role in maintaining the dairy enterprise initiated by his father. His commitment extended beyond agriculture to community service, education, and civic improvement. Ernest's leadership was evident as he held various prominent positions, including vice-chairman of the dairy department at the State Farm Bureau. He served as president of several organizations, including the California Milk Producers Association, the Associated Farmers of Orange County, the Garden Grove Lions Club, the Garden Grove Farm Center, and the Garden Grove Citrus Association. Ernest's dedication to education was demonstrated through his twenty-four-year tenure on the Alamitos Elementary School District board and his service on the Garden Grove Union High School District board for two decades.

Ernest and Myrtle Wakeham's seven children embarked on diverse paths and while the history of all seven children is not known, those that have been researched were shown to have contributed significantly to their community. Don Wakeham's bravery as a Navy pilot during World War II earned him the prestigious Navy Cross for his heroic actions at the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. Tragically, while serving in the Pacific theater, he went missing in action and was presumed dead, leaving a void in the Wakeham family.

His sister Marjorie, deeply affected by his loss, channeled her grief into remarkable dedication to the war effort. She joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, training as a pilot and subsequently flying various aircraft across the continent to support the war overseas. After returning home, she worked as a bookkeeper for the Garden Grove Citrus Association before returning to service during the Korean War. By 1952 she was the commanding officer of the 4726th Women's Air Force Squadron and rose to the rank of Major in the Women's Air Force. Jack Cole Wakeham, mirroring his father's commitment to education and public service, dedicated many years to the Alamitos Elementary School District and the Garden Grove Union High School District boards. He furthered his impact as the director of maintenance and operations for the Savanna School District and held the presidency of the Native Sons of the Golden West twice.

Magnolia Park in 1955 vs. Magnolia Park in 2024

Ernest Wakeham passed away in 1950, followed by his wife Myrtle in April 1954. That same month, Wakeham School was established in Garden Grove, named in honor of Ernest A. Wakeham. Subsequently, many of the Wakeham family's groves were sold for subdivision. In 1962, the City of Garden Grove purchased 4.5 acres of the Wakeham estate for $56,000, including their home and citrus grove, to establish Magnolia Park. The city transformed the Wakeham home into a community center and renovated their pool into a public facility, preserving the Wakeham legacy for future generations. In September 1963, the City Council of Garden Grove authorized negotiations to acquire an additional 1.1 acres along Joyzelle St., expanding Magnolia Park to the north. Subsequently, in September 1968, following a contentious debate, the Council approved the construction of two lighted tennis courts, marking the city's first, atop a five-million-gallon water reservoir within the park. This expansion project also included landscaping and two handball courts, officially dedicated in November 1972.

Special thanks to Chris Jepsen, President of the Orange County Historical Society and a dedicated local historian residing in Orange County, California, for generously sharing both content and photos from his blog, O.C. History Roundup.